The Best Alexa Speakers for 2021

Our pick for the best Alexa speaker is the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), for many reasons. They include its moderate price, robust audio performance, ability to control the smart home, and a new refreshing design that changes up its identity. In fact, you won’t find a better Alexa speaker that offers such a comprehensive package at a price point that doesn’t greatly impact the wallet.

If that’s not enough of a comprehensive package for you, there are several third-party speakers that use Alexa. While some folks may be content to have Alexa confined to a tinier, more personal package, others may prefer something more robust and room filling. On top of that, there’s a range of products that covers the price gamut, so there’s one for any budget.

Given the usefulness of Alexa, it’s no wonder why there’s such a wide array of Alexa speakers to choose from. Here are the best.

Best Alexa speakers at a glance:

The best Alexa speaker: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) LED light ring glowing.

Combining size and performance, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is our pick for the best Alexa speaker. Music aficionados will appreciate the sound quality this sizable speaker can churn out in a package that’s not overpowering when it’s placed among other decor. After sporting a familiar cylindrical shape, this latest Amazon Echo bears a refreshing new spherical design that undeniably draws attention — especially with an LED light ring around its base.

Over on the audio side, the Amazon Echo’s speakers are powered by Dolby with 360-degree audio, delivering crisp vocals and punchier bass to please just about any music lover. You’re paying more for it over the smaller Echo Dot, but at $100, it’s a wonderful centerpiece. Throw in all of Alexa’s expertise and home control functions, and you have an Alexa speaker that offers a lot without breaking the bank.

Our full Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Review

The best budget Alexa speaker: Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Clock

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Clock front. — John Velasco / Digital Trends

If you’re looking for a general Alexa speaker that can be discreet wherever it’s placed, then you’ll want to check out the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Clock. However, you may want to position it in an area that offers a line of sight to it, because it proudly displays the time with its built-in LEDs.

Functionally, it doesn’t differ much from the previous model, but it still has all of Alexa’s features in a compact package. In addition to the time, it can display the temperature outside and a countdown timer. Priced at $60, it’s a small investment to quickly turn your home into a smart home.

If you don’t fancy the LED clock, you can save some money by sticking with the regular Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen), which features the same new spherical design, robust audio performance, and smart home controls. And finally, there’s also the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Edition, which is specifically targeted to children with its cute design and kid-friendly features.

Our full Amazon Echo Dot(4th Gen) Review

The best Alexa speaker for music: Amazon Echo Studio

Echo Studio lifestyle image next to plant.

Amazon’s premier Alexa speaker is the Echo Studio. Armed to the teeth with an impressive array of hardware, and featuring a total of five speakers powered by Dolby Atmos technology, it ensures audio performance is dynamic for just about any situation. What truly makes it unique is the ability to tune itself to adapt to any room by analyzing the acoustics of the room, delivering optimized audio for exceptional music playback.

Despite the Amazon Echo Studio packing so much heat, all of the hardware is packaged snuggly into its cylindrical shaped body — making it the perfect centerpiece to grace any entertainment center. Plus, you still get all the same rich smart home controls as any Alexa speaker. You’re paying a pretty penny for the Echo Studio, but you’re receiving a premium speaker in return.

Our full Amazon Echo Studio review

The best portable Alexa speaker: Ultimate Ears Megablast

Woman holding to Ultimate Ears UE Megablast Blue Steel.

Sure, it may be a couple of years old now, but the Ultimate Ears Megablast is one of the few Alexa enabled speakers meant for the great outdoors.

The Ultimate Ears Megablast is perfect for road trips and outdoor activities because it’s designed for water and drop protection. You can certainly take a dunk in a pool without a worry about damage, especially when its IP67 rating allows it to be submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes. Even though it’s largely meant to be a party speaker, you can still leverage all of Alexa’s abilities while you’re outside. That means you can still tell Alexa to turn off the lights in the kitchen from outside, or even turn on the lights outside when the sun goes down. It’s also accompanied by phenomenal audio as well, featuring 360-degree audio with low-frequency drivers and passive radiators to deliver superb bass.

The best stylish Alexa speaker: Marshall Uxbridge Voice

A person is pressing on a button on the Marshall Uxbridge.

Speakers can look dull and bland. That’s not the case with the Marshall Uxbridge Voice, which features the distinctive aesthetics of Marshall’s guitar amps. For those who are particular about the look and design of their favorite gadgets, the Marshall Uxbridge Voice carries along a classic styling — without compromising on the sound. The contemporary design features metallic accents, the distinguishable Marshall name, and a cloth grille.

Since it’s Alexa enabled, you’ll be able to command this smart speaker to do just about anything. There’s also the signature sound, which packs quite a punch in such a compact and stylish design. Your music deserves to be played from something attractive, and the Marshall Uxbridge Voice fits the bill.

The best Alexa Soundbar: Bose Soundbar 700

bose soundbar 700 white on top of entertainment center.

If you’re a home theater buff, then you know the value of a soundbar when it comes to completing the experience at home. The Bose Soundbar 700 packs everything you need for that home theater experience at home with the help of Amazon’s Alexa. Similar to the previous model, the Bose Soundbar 500, it features a slim and sleek design that makes it a cinch to fit somewhere in your entertainment center — while its enthralling surround sound ensures that the dialogue between actors in your favorite flicks won’t be drowned out by the score.

With Alexa on board, you won’t ever need to find the remote to adjust the volume. All you need to do is ask Alexa. Also, you can ask her to perform other smart home routines to get the mood ready for watching a movie. Yes, it’s up there in price, which is expected, but what you pay does snag you exceptional audio quality in the Bose Soundbar 700.

Our full Bose Soundbar 500 Review